The magnificent seven: Our team of the year
With the national premiership finals fast approaching, Brendon Egan picks the ‘Stuff Seven’ from this season’s leading performers.
Shooters
Aliyah Dunn (Pulse) and Te Paea Selby-Rickit (Steel)
Goal shoot, typically New Zealand netball’s problem position since Irene van Dyk retired, finally has some decent depth.
Impressive Central Pulse teenager Aliyah Dunn, a strong candidate for competition MVP, gets the nod at goal shoot over Maia Wilson (Stars), Jennifer O’Connell (Steel), and Magic’s South African import Lenize Potgieter.
Leading into their final-round match, Dunn had slotted 472 goals from 518 attempts at 91 per cent, the second best accuracy in the competition. She’s slotted 40 or more goals in five games, including a season-high of 50.
Steel’s Te Paea Selby-Rickit edges Tiana Metuarau (Pulse) at goal attack. With former star Jamaican import Jhaniele Fowler departing over the off-season, Selby-Rickit had to step up her play and has formed an effective combination with O’Connell.
Midcourt
Gina Crampton (Steel), Sam Sinclair (Magic), and Karin Burger (Pulse)
Wing attack Gina Crampton has rebounded in the best possible way from her Silver Ferns snub for January’s Quad Series and the Commonwealth Games. She has been superb for the Steel and a Ferns recall looks certain when the squad is unveiled on August 14.
Sam Sinclair was a tower of strength for the injury-riddled Magic, whose record would have been even bleaker without her. She played all three midcourt positions, but saw most time at centre. Sinclair is preferred over Claire Kersten (Pulse) and Kimiora Poi (Tactix), who both had standout campaigns.
South African-born Karin Burger must be in contention for a first-time callup to the Ferns. Moving into the wing defence role in a bid for greater court-time, the usual circle defender has flourished.
Charlotte Elley (Tactix), Fa’amu Ioane (Stars), and the retiring Anna Harrison (Mystics) all had their moments, but Burger’s consistency and dramatic improvement is hard to overlook.
Defenders
Katrina Grant (Pulse) and Temalisi Fakahokotau (Tactix)
The defensive end pick themselves with Silver Ferns skipper Katrina Grant (Pulse) and Temalisi Fakahokotau (Tactix) a cut above their peers all season.
Grant is enjoying her netball after the ignominy of the Commonwealth Games, where she was the public face of the Ferns’ mediocre showing. She has picked up a stack of defensive turnovers and been a crucial reason why the Pulse are such a tough side for opposition attacks to score against.
Fakahokotau has arguably been the best player in the competition. She leads the league in all three major defensive categories (rebounds, intercepts, and deflections) and has helped the Tactix win several close contests through some critical defensive gains.
Their partners in crime, Sulu Fitzpatrick (Pulse) and Jane Watson (Tactix), haven’t been far behind and have made a major impression for their new sides in 2018.
Both deserve Silver Fern defensive spots with Kelly Jury and Kayla Cullen out with longterm injuries.